and Wellington Delitti. it was also decided that the Research Group in environmental Sciences from the institute of Advanced Study would be charged with coordinating the work. After several meetings, the group decided to put together a collection of Theses and Dissertations defended by USP's students between 1992 and 2011 on subjects related to Rio+20, including information on the author, as well as an abstract and keywords. in addition, an analysis of this material by USP experts would also be provided, indicating the progress and challenges related to each research in the following areas-Governance and Agenda 21; Green economy and social inclusion; and Climate Change. The set of texts in this section of advanced studies addresses this second stage. Multilateral meetings as the ones to be held in Rio de Janeiro often serve as an encouragement to new forms of international cooperation. in addition, they draw public attention before, during and after the event, which in itself ensures greater visibility to and discussion of topics of general interest. it is even better when such a major event, which brings together heads of state and government, is able to produce binding agreements that will lead them to meet targets towards a less unequal world in the use of and access to natural resources. Unlike the United nations Conference on environment and Development-Rio-92, which was held at a time of international optimism, when the world had just come out of the Cold War and there were signs of greater understanding among countries, Rio+20 will take place under the effects of the greatest financial, economic and political crisis in recent years. The outcomes